A teen's perspective on freedom.

What is on my mind nowadays: sex, prom, boys, fame, school, college, and homework.

What I should be really thinking about is: job, money, marriage, children, etc. etc.

Why don't I start thinking about the stuff that I should really be thinking about at my tender age of 17?

I don't think about those things because I don't have very much freedom. I need to be let go little by little, but that's not happening. I am a prisoner in this place I am supposed to be calling home. So all I am required to think about is sex, prom, boys, fame, school, college, and homework. So when it does come down to the time when I should be thinking about all those other things, then I am going to be confused and become quite frustrated. I need to learn how to be independent. I need the freedom to make my own decisions and to learn from my own mistakes.

Parents, all over the world, if you have a teenager in the household, please know that you've got to let your teens go little by little. Let them learn how to be independent. So when they graduate from high school, they would know what to do in the real world, on their own.

Another reason teens need their independence... and by independence I mean letting them close their room door and give them their privacy. Let your teens go out with their friends. If your teen comes home late and past curfew, don't yell at them, don't ground them, and don't ask them all these questions about sex, drugs, and friends. But instead, please tell them that by being late you were extremely worried and that you're glad they're safe. Instead of grounding them, please just let them make it up to you by letting them clean up the bathroom or wax the car.

If teens don't have their freedom, then apparently, they are going to rebel. Teens will do anything to get out of the house and away from their crazy parents, this means dropping out of school, to get a job, and live in an apartment.

It's a difficult time for teenagers. We are trying to leave the whole dependent stage behind and to become independent in the real world with the confidence and knowledge. But this can't be done if there are parents holding their teens back.

So parents, I know it may be it difficult to let your teens go. And you may be afraid that your teens will make bad mistakes, but if you've done a great job at parenting and had taught your teens strong values and morals, then likely your teens will be fine. But it's time to let them make their own decisions. Do you honestly want a 35-year-old son still living in your house? If you don't want that, then let your teens live. Give your teens the freedom they need to prosper and grow into confident, mature adults.

We're all grateful that our parents took good care of us. Providing us with the food, shelter, clothes, and love that we needed. But we're not kids anymore. By not giving us the freedom we need- you're holding us back, you're making us remain as kids and preventing us from growing into adults. It's time that you give us the push we need to learn the world on our own. And freedom is that first major push.